Reorganization Act of 1977, PL 95-17, signed 4/6/77
Department of Energy Organization Act, PL 95-91, signed 8/4/77
Senate Ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties, 3/16/78 and 4/18/78
Civil Service Reform Act, PL 95-454, signed 10/13/78
Airline Deregulation Act, PL 95-504, signed 10/24/78
Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act (PL 95-523) and Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Amendments (PL 95-524) [Humphrey-Hawkins Act], signed 10/27/78
National Energy Act [actually five laws], PL 95-617 through 621, signed 11/9/78
Trade Agreements Act, PL 96-39, signed 7/26/79
Department of Education Organization Act, PL 96-88, signed 10/17/79
Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act, PL 96-221, signed 3/31/80
Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act, PL 96-223, signed 4/2/80
Energy Security Act, PL 96-294, signed 6/30/80
Motor Carrier Act [Trucking Deregulation], PL 96-296, signed 7/1/80
Staggers Rail Act [Rail Deregulation], PL 96-448, signed 10/14/80
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, PL 96-487, signed 12/2/80
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [Superfund Act], PL 96-510, signed 12/11/80
Highlights of the Congress Administration 1977-1981
Established a national policy to deal with energy shortages
Combated economic inflation and unemployment
Fought for environmental issues and expanded the national park system by adding Alaskan lands
Created the Department of Education
Strengthened the Social Security system
The Camp David agreement created genial relations between Egypt and Israel
Approved the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty
Ratification of the Panama Canal treaties
Criticisms/Pitfalls of Administration 1977-1981
"The seizure of hostages of the U.S. embassy staff in Iran was all over the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran's holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter's defeat in 1980" (The White House).
Refused negotiations with North Korea, possibly leading to issues of nuclear power today
Soviets entrenchment into Afghanistan
Iranian students holding US State Department personnel and US Marines hostage for 444 days
Low American prestige
Weak democratic presence for next 12 years
Double digit inflation and impossibly high interest rates
Characteristics of the 1977-1981 Congress
Congress didn't get along with Carter and his Cabinet.
They refused to play by the "Washington rules"
Some of his cabinet members (Frank Moore) didn't return phone calls, insulted Congress and were unwilling to trade political favors.
This made it hard for the president to complete his agenda.
The Presidents advisors didn't have a lot in common with the national political party, and didn't have a lot in common with Congress.
Congress thought that the President's cabinet was a "bunch of y guys".
Democratic Party ce in both House and Senate
SENATE: 61-Dem, 38-Rep, 1-Other
Vice-President: Walter F. Mondale (D)
Majority Leader: Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Minority Leader: Howard H. Baker, Jr.(R-TN) HOUSE: 292-Dem, 143-Rep.
Speaker: Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.(D-MA)
Majority Leader: James C. Wright, Jr. (D-TX)
Minority Leader: John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)\ Summary of the impact of Congress
This was a time of energy crisis, and the Laws passed by Congress helped establish programs that would fix the energy problems. Congress also passed laws that inproved transportation. Significant foreign policy accomplishments of his administration included the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He championed human rights throughout the world. On the domestic side, the administration's achievements included a comprehensive energy program conducted by a new Department of Energy; deregulation in energy, transportation, communications, and finance; major educational programs under a new Department of Education; and major environmental protection legislation, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
Major Legislation Passed
Highlights of the Congress Administration 1977-1981
Criticisms/Pitfalls of Administration 1977-1981
Characteristics of the 1977-1981 Congress
Democratic Party ce in both House and Senate
SENATE: 61-Dem, 38-Rep, 1-Other
Vice-President: Walter F. Mondale (D)
Majority Leader: Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Minority Leader: Howard H. Baker, Jr.(R-TN)
HOUSE: 292-Dem, 143-Rep.
Speaker: Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.(D-MA)
Majority Leader: James C. Wright, Jr. (D-TX)
Minority Leader: John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)\
Summary of the impact of Congress
This was a time of energy crisis, and the Laws passed by Congress helped establish programs that would fix the energy problems. Congress also passed laws that inproved transportation. Significant foreign policy accomplishments of his administration included the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He championed human rights throughout the world. On the domestic side, the administration's achievements included a comprehensive energy program conducted by a new Department of Energy; deregulation in energy, transportation, communications, and finance; major educational programs under a new Department of Education; and major environmental protection legislation, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
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